Stories for July 17, 2007

45 miles east of San Diego, the potential roar of gunfire, noisy helicopters and traffic jams has jolted awake the tiny, rural town of Potrero. That's where Blackwater USA - a private military contractor known for schooling mercenaries - wants to build a training camp. The plan has driven a wedge through the community. KPBS reporter Amita Sharma brings us the story.

Year by year, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is shrinking and changing shape as erosion takes its toll on the 68-acre parcel bordering the Pacific Ocean -- from Ocean Beach to Point Loma. The city of San Diego is paying attention to the destruction, its causes, and what might be done to forestall the wearing away of this irreplaceable landmark.

Learn how to take charge of your own health, and save your pocketbook. In the second part of our interview with Jason Deitch, he proposes solutions to the $2 trillion healthcare crisis. Deitch lays out simple steps to improve your own health in 90 days.

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein wants to see the sentences for two border patrol agents reduced. The pair was convicted of covering up their roles in the shooting of a drug smuggler. Jodi Breisler reports from Capitol Hill.

The governor's appointee to lead the state Air Resources Board says despite recent upheaval at the agency, it is not in turmoil. Mary Nichols sought to assure lawmakers of that at the state capitol Tuesday. Jenny O'Mara reports from Sacramento.

The Lakeside war walker may be getting some company next week. There are a number of anti-war walking groups getting ready to converge on Washington DC. KPBS Morning Anchor Dwane Brown spoke with Bill McDannell, who's on a trek to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

San Onofre nuclear plant officials say what happened during the recent earthquake in Japan won't happen here. The Japanese quake caused a leak of radioactive waste water that was flushed into the sea. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce explains.

San Diego City Councilwoman Donna Frye has issued a summons requiring city staff to attend a meeting tomorrow about a mandatory recycling ordinance. Sanders says he has his own recycling plan, which he plans to roll out in the fall.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders is calling for a reduction in city sewer rates. The reduction is part of a settlement of a lawsuit filed by consumer advocates. They say the city overcharged residents and needs to make amends.

Governor Schwarzenegger is ordering the state to take steps to improve conditions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. That's an area where San Diego gets much of its drinking water, as well as 20 million other Californians. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ reports.

The Catholic Diocese of Los Angeles has settled dozens of lawsuits that alleged sexual abuse by priests. The average settlement, per case, is more than one million dollars. And that is expected to put more pressure on the San Diego diocese to settle its lawsuits, despite its claim of bankruptcy. We'll hear from a reporter who's been covering the lawsuits against San Diego.

Assembly Bill 684, the California Industrial Hemp Farming Act, makes its way through the California Legislature, but not everyone is happy about it. Some drug enforcement officials claim that their illegal drug-fighting efforts will be compromised because hemp and marijuana look similar. We speak with the assembly member who proposed the legislation, a lobbyist who says the bill is misguided, and a hemp industry lawyer who explains the legal issues of the legislation.

KPBS reporter Alison St John went back to Scotland recently to visit her brother Hugh, who lives on the west coast in a small community called Scoraig. Its a remote spot, with no roads and no electricity, except whats generated by wind power. Heres her audio postcard of Hugh and his windmill.